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DASHAVATAR – THE TEN INCARNATIONS OF VISHNU

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DASHAVATAR – THE TEN INCARNATIONS OF VISHNU

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Lord Vishnu is said to have manifested himself in various incarnations, called Avatars, for the destruction of evil or restoration of faith and justice in the world. These incarnations are said to have been in the human form, in the animal form and even in the combined human-animal form. Though popularly believed to be ten in number, the Bhagvat Purana mentions twenty two such incarnations with innumerable more to follow.

It is believed that out of the ten incarnations (called Dashavatar) that are popularly believed in, nine have already been manifested while the tenth is yet to appear. Though all of the incarnations are highly revered, the incarnations of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna have found acceptance as gods in their own right and are propitiated deities in Hinduism. The first four of the ten avatars have appeared in the Krita Yuga (the first of the four Yugas or Ages that comprise one Mahayuga – for more details please read the section above on Lord Brahma). The next three avatars appeared in the Treta Yuga, the eighth incarnation in the Dwapar Yuga and the ninth in the Kali Yuga. The tenth is expected to appear at the end of the Kali Yuga.

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1 Matsya

2 Koorma

3 Varaha

4 Narasimha

5 Vamana

6 Parasurama

7 Rama

8 Balarama

9 Krishna

10 Kalki (Avathar yet to come)

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Matsya avathar

This was the form of the fish, taken up by Vishnu during a deluge that submerged the earth. Matsya is generally represented as a four-armed figure with the upper torso of a man and the lower of a fish. According to a legend, Vishnu commanded a rishi to gather together samples of all species and wait in a boat. The gigantic golden fish then dragged the boat through the deluge and then enabled Brahma to start the act of creation all over again.

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Koorma avathar

In this incarnation, Lord Vishnu took the form of a tortoise. According to this legend, the Gods & Demons united in their efforts to churn the celestial ocean of milk, in the quest of Amrit (the nectar of life and immortality). This mammoth task was carried out with the Mandara Mount as the churning stick and the mythological snake Vasuki as the rope. Thus, Lord Vishnu incarnated himself as the Kurma (the tortoise) in order to support the mount Mandara, which started sinking during the churning of the ocean. Thus, the Kurma sat on the bottom of the ocean with a mountain, being placed on his back by the other gods so that the gods & demons could churn the sea and find the ancient treasures of the Vedic people.

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Varaha Avathar

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Varaha is the third avatar of Vishnu, who appeared in order to defeat the demon Hiranyaksha. Varaha is depicted in art as either purely animal or as having a boar`s head on a man`s body. In the latter form he has four arms, two of which hold the wheel and conch-shell while the other two hold a mace, sword or lotus or make a gesture of blessing. The Earth is held between the boar`s tusks.

Since, the demon had taken the earth and carried it to the bottom of the cosmic ocean, the Lord killed the demon and lifted the earth out of the flood waters in which it had been submerged. He lifted the Bhoomi Devi (Earth), between his tusks and restored it to its place in the universe. This may be a symbolic representation of the resurrection of the world from the deluge of sin by the power of the Supreme Being and the establishment of a new cosmic cycle. Later, Vishnu married Bhoomi Devi in this avatar.

Narasimha Avathar

A combination of man and lion, Narasimha represents another form of Vishnu. He is in the form of half-man / half-lion, having a human torso and lower body, but with a lion-like face and claws. When Prahlada, the great devotee of Vishnu was being severely tortured by his father, the demon Hiranyakasipu, Vishnu appeared as Narasimha (man-lion) emerging out of the pillar shown by Hiranyakasipu and killed him. Thus, in this avatar, Vishnu demonstrated his omnipresence in a powerful way. Narsimha is especially the embodiment of valour, which is a divine attribute and hence worshipped by rulers and warriors.

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Vamana Avatar

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Vamana was his fifth incarnation Vamana means a Dwarf There is an interesting story behind this avatharam. Emperor Mahaballi ruled over the Pathala-loka. Instead of being confined to his-loka he captured the other lokas and was ruling over them. The Gods and others from other lokas Implored to God to put Mahabali in his place. Once Mahabali was performaing a big “yaga”( offering things in the sacrificial fire) and at the end of the yaga was giving away gold and other things in charity. Whoever went to the palace on that day could ask whatever they wished and the king would certainly oblige them. God seized this opportunity and came to Mahabali’s palace as a dwarf-mendicant. The dwarf asked the King for just 3 footmeasure of land for himself. The king was perplexed and wondering why the dwarf was asking for only a 3 foot-measure of land when he could ask for acres and acres of land. However the king agred and asked the dwarf the measure the land with his feet. ho! God assumed gigantic proportions his head reaching up to the sky – the highest world above and his feet down at Pathala-loka the lowest of the worlds below the earth. God took one step and that covered all the worlds above the second step covered all the worlds below and there was no place left for his third foot measure. God asked king ” Mahabali , I have taken two steps and have covered all the lokas tell me where to keep my foot for the third foot-measure.” Mahabali realising that the dwarf was no other than God himself Bowed before the dwarf and said ” Please my lord you may keep your foot over my head as the third measure.” Accordingly God put his foot on Mahabali’s head and pressed hard to push the King to ‘Pathala’loka’ and told him “O king! this is where you belong and you should confine your self to this loka only.” Mahabali realised his folly and ruled long over Pathala-loka. This is to show the people that they should live in their own places and should not be so greedy to occupy the other lands. This was the Lord’s fourth incarnation – as a dwarf.

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Parasurama Avatar

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Sri Rama Avathar Vishnu then took up the form of Parasurama, who was the sixth Avatara born as the son of the sage-couple, Jamadagni and Renuka. This avatar was to quell the arrogance of the Kshatriya rulers who harmed the sages and unprotected mortals. He exterminated the tyrannical among the Kshatriyas led by Kartavirya, who were oppressing the people.

In Hinduism, he is considered to be the Seventh Avatar of Vishnu and an important manifestation of God. Rama or Ram was also referred as Ramachandra and

honorifically as Sri Rama, is a legendary/historical king of ancient India. Vishnu came in the form of Rama to rescue the world from the demon, Ravana.

Ram`s purpose was to ensure that justice and peace (dharma) ruled. He is the hero of the epic Ramayana, and he is regarded as an example of morality and virtue. Rama is shown with a bow in his hand, symbolizing his strength, because he won the hand of his wife, Sita, using a bow in a contest. He is usually depicted with his brother Lakshmana, his wife Sita, and Hanuman.

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Balram Avathar

While all avathars are incarnations of Lord Vishnu it is Adisesha the five hooded of snake on which Mahavishnu reclines in his ‘yoganidhra’ that incarnates as Balarama. Balarama was born to Vasudeva and his first wife Rohini. Thus he becomes the elder brother of Lord Krishna.

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There is not much significance in this avathar. From the evolutionary angle this avathar marks the period when humans started a settled way of life taking to agriculture- Balarama is pictured as carrying a plough on his shoulders. Being a contemporary of Krishna the spot light is more on Krishna than on Balarama.

Sri Krishna Avathar

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Lord Krishna, or Sri Krishna, as fondly known, is the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the most popular of all his incarnations. Krishna is a deity worshipped across many traditions of Hinduism. He is usually depicted as a young cowherd boy playing a flute or a youthful prince giving philosophical direction. He was the charioteer of Arjuna in the battle of Kurukshetra in Mahabharata.

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He is the great expounder of the `song celestial`, the Bhagvad Gita. Krishna and the stories associated with him appear across a broad spectrum of Hindu philosophical and

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theological traditions. Though they sometimes differ in details reflecting the concerns of a particular tradition, all shares some core features. These include a divine incarnation, a pastoral childhood and youth, and life as a heroic warrior and teacher.

Kalki bhagavan

(Avathar yet to come)

The Kalki Avatar is the only avatar of Vishnu that is set in the future. It is believed that at the end of the present age (Kali Yug), there will be a deluge when Kalki – the tenth and the last avatar of Vishnu, will ride forth on a horse to redeem humankind and re-establish righteousness. Riding on the back of a white horse, with a drawn sword, he will destroy the enemies of Dharma and re-establish it in all its glory. The name Kalki is often a metaphor

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paritranaya saadunaam vinashayasa dushkrudham dharma samsthaba narthaya sambavami yuge yuge (Meaning)

Whenever evil over-takes the good and the world is sinking with sins at that time I will come to annihilate the evil and establish righteousness.

Quote by: Lord Sri Krishna from Bhagavat Geeta